While checking out at the grocery store I had been visiting with the woman behind me. She was riding in one of those shopping carts with the basket in front. The basket held just a few items: some apples, corn, a loaf of bread, some canned goods, and a bunch of gorgeous coral colored roses. Several times while we were visiting I caught her looking at those lovely roses and smiling. I commented to her that they were, indeed, very lovely roses. She said, "I really do love them, they're my favorite color.
Well, just as I was leaving, I heard her say to the cashier, "You can put those roses back, I really shouldn't afford them." I turned around and asked her if she would allow me to get them for her. She shook her head and said, "Why would you want to do that? You certainl
y don't have to." I replied that I just wanted to especially since she loved them so much. She still seemed hesitant so I told her that she would be doing me a great kindness if she would allow me to gift them to her. With tears in her eyes, she agreed and said, "I really do love them. Thank you." As I handed the cashier the money for the roses, I noticed he was a little teary eyed as well. As I told them both goodbye and began to walk away, I noticed that she was holding the roses and just beaming!
On the way home I was reminded of a song I had heard decades ago and I've loved it ever since. The song is 'Bread and Roses' and I first heard it sung by Judy Collins. The lyrics are by John Denver. It's a beautiful song on many levels and reminds us that we all need sustenance, but we all also need beauty.
A line from this song fits this situation perfectly, I thought. It reads:
"Hearts starve as well as bodies. Give us bread, but give us roses, too."
Well, just as I was leaving, I heard her say to the cashier, "You can put those roses back, I really shouldn't afford them." I turned around and asked her if she would allow me to get them for her. She shook her head and said, "Why would you want to do that? You certainl
y don't have to." I replied that I just wanted to especially since she loved them so much. She still seemed hesitant so I told her that she would be doing me a great kindness if she would allow me to gift them to her. With tears in her eyes, she agreed and said, "I really do love them. Thank you." As I handed the cashier the money for the roses, I noticed he was a little teary eyed as well. As I told them both goodbye and began to walk away, I noticed that she was holding the roses and just beaming!On the way home I was reminded of a song I had heard decades ago and I've loved it ever since. The song is 'Bread and Roses' and I first heard it sung by Judy Collins. The lyrics are by John Denver. It's a beautiful song on many levels and reminds us that we all need sustenance, but we all also need beauty.
A line from this song fits this situation perfectly, I thought. It reads:
"Hearts starve as well as bodies. Give us bread, but give us roses, too."
4207 Reads
- Posted by kjoyw
- Apr 6, 2018
- Comments (18)
Readers Comments
kiwicat wrote: I love how you do these spontaneous acts of kindness. You are fantastic!
mindyjourney wrote: Tuned in to the roses, my friend :)). Was at rose garden ealier today and keep smelling them! thank you for your kind heart and giving. Wonderful :))
RoseMarie wrote: Thank you Kate such a beautiful kindness x 💓
splain wrote: Kate, you made her day and this will become a" special thing" that she will often think about. So lovely of you
balou wrote: What a beautiful gesture, Kate, Thank you!!
pyronik wrote: More ripples of kindness you are spreading. The cashier will also tell the story & word of your good deed will spread :-)
leoladyc728 wrote: They are lovely and you made someone very happy today.
fairykats wrote: lovely, lovely, lovely story
lt33 wrote: Omg I'm holding back tears as I read this the way u answer why u want to get the roses for her is so meaniful 💕🌹
terre wrote: What a lovely kindness you did for this woman! Thank you!
